Wu Tong's libation of wine to honor the fallen hero was truly the bearing of a great man of the jianghu. Thereafter, the civil and military officials stepped forward one by one to offer incense in reverence. Before long, the public memorial concluded, and the ceremony proceeded to the sealing of the coffin. Led by Daoist priests, the family performed the rites of closing the lid and driving in the sealing nails.
Soon, the suona sounded once more. The erhu, panghu fiddle, large and small gongs, small clapper-gong, wooden clappers, and hall drums joined in a mournful melody, deepening the air of grief and solemnity. The crowd took their places; the family's wails rose in sorrow. Beneath the gentle winter sun, the Tang military master of ceremonies called out loudly:
"Lift the coffin!"
Six soldiers of the Anxi Army raised the bier. The funeral procession set forth, the spirit departing for burial. Again the master of ceremonies proclaimed:
"The auspicious hour has arrived—set off the firecrackers!"
Firecrackers were lit for two reasons: one to dispel malevolent forces, the other to awaken the departing spirit. Amid the crackling reports, the general's eldest grandson stepped forward at the head of the procession bearing the soul-guiding banner. Close behind, General Li Siye's son, Li Zuoguo, carried the spirit tablet and incense burner, followed by the daughters and filial descendants. Next came the six Tang soldiers shouldering the coffin; behind it followed the daughters-in-law and female mourners—men in front, women behind, signifying continuity of the lineage. The remaining civil and military officials escorted the procession along the way. The soul-guiding banner led the coffin all the way to the gravesite; from the moment the cortege departed until arrival, the family and relatives wept without cease.
After about a quarter-hour's walk, they reached the burial ground. The six soldiers set the coffin before the grave. The Li family knelt and wept their final farewells. Then the coffin workers lowered the casket into the earth, fixed the orientation and geomantic measure; once Li Zuoguo confirmed the position was correct, the grave was filled. Earth was mounded into a tomb, turf laid atop it, the gravestone erected and the Earth Deity tablet set. After offerings were made, the Earth Deity honored, and the spirit tablet consecrated, sacrifices were arranged to worship the deceased. When the rites concluded, Li Zuoguo held the soul-silk tablet and circled the grave three times before returning—this was the rite of "returning the spirit." Thus the funeral was complete.
Later, in recognition of his father's merits, Li Zuoguo inherited the title, receiving a real fief of two hundred households. General Li Siye, whose battlefield achievements were outstanding and who fell in service, was revered by the people. Accordingly, the court arranged for ten households to maintain his grave year-round.
A poem says:
He raised arms and showed his might,Now the fallen star is mourned.Rivers wail across the land,The whole realm sends off the hero's soul.
After the funeral, Wu Tong and his wife parted ways with Duke of Cheng Li Fuguo and headed toward Huangshan Palace to pay a visit to Master Danyang. The Two Eccentrics of the jianghu and the "Madman of the West," Situ Kong, had gone on ahead.
Wu Tong and Liu Yun dismounted, tethered their horses to a slope-side tree by the shrine, and climbed the steps to the palace gate. They entered Huangshan Palace to stroll and rest; there were noticeably more visitors than on their last visit. Following the mountain path eastward, before long they saw a Daoist temple standing on a ridge, floating clouds drifting past, mountain winds biting cold. A winding path led into a secluded realm. Surrounded on all sides by clouded peaks and seas of mist, the temple was presided over by Master Danyang.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, a young Daoist called out,"Master—pilgrims have arrived!"
They entered the hall. Master Danyang rose and came forward holding his fly-whisk."Hall Master Wu and Madam honor us with your presence—this humble temple is illuminated! Outside, frost and fog fill the sky and the cold cuts to the bone. I have already brewed a fine pot of tea for you."
Wu Tong's thoughts turned; he stepped forward respectfully, sincere at heart."I have intruded upon your quiet cultivation seeking food and lodging—please forgive the disturbance. I have means at hand; allow me to offer some incense oil money."
He produced a banknote for two hundred taels of silver and presented it to Master Danyang. Master Danyang was pleased, yet it was not fitting for him to accept it personally. Daoist Whitebrow suddenly called out,
"Master Danyang, Hall Master Wu is a court official—two hundred taels is a trifle to him."
Master Zhenkong added,"This old monk is named Zhenkong—coming into life empty-handed, leaving empty-handed; what is there to cling to, what to shoulder? It is rare that Hall Master Wu understands propriety and donates incense oil money on behalf of Whitebrow and me."
Master Danyang then called,"Tianming—this gentleman is donating incense oil money. Accept the two hundred taels."
The young Daoist answered and came to take the banknote."Many thanks, sir."
Master Danyang continued,"Tianming, Tianzhao—prepare four guest rooms for the five visitors to stay the night."
The Daoist called Tianzhao answered and withdrew to arrange the rooms.
Wu Tong and Liu Yun took their seats. Master Danyang prepared tea for the honored guests. Tea drinking is both a pleasure of life and an art. Among literati, it invites elegant discourse. As the saying goes: the pot is tea's father, water its mother, and charcoal (the fire) its friend. The steps of brewing include warming the pot, adding tea, moistening, warming the cups, brewing, timing, swirling the pot, drying the pot, pouring, serving—and only then tasting.
Master Danyang first placed the tea in the aroma cup, then transferred it to the drinking cup, lifted the aroma cup to the nose to savor the fragrance lingering at the base. When the tea reached the proper temperature, it was tasted—appreciating color, aroma, and flavor. Bathed in pure tea fragrance, the group sipped and discussed the Dao, spoke of lands and skies, recited poems and jianghu tales, adding to the pleasure.
Just then, the young Daoist Tianming hurried in."Master—Abbot Danjing Daoist reports that the Martial World Life-and-Death Judges' Guild has arrived and requests your presence."
Master Danyang said,"People do not come to the Three Treasures Hall without reason. The Judges' Guild visiting Huangshan Palace—what could it be? Why not go together and see?"
Situ Kong laughed."When the Life-and-Death Judges' Guild makes a move, what could it be but a duel?"
Daoist Whitebrow added,"Last year the Judges' Guild arranged a contest between Nine Heavens Palace and True God Palace here at Huangshan Palace—this is likely the same."
Master Zhenkong said,"Speaking of that contest last year—it brought Huangshan Palace no small amount of incense money!"
Master Danyang stroked his beard and smiled slightly."That is no bad thing at all. Come—Hall Master Wu, let us go take a look."
With a flick of his fly-whisk, he turned to lead the way. The group followed, heading toward the abbot's temple.